Over the centuries Israel has been known by many names including: Cannan, Eretz Yisrael (Land of Israel), Palestine from the Latin Philistia, Zion, the Promised Land, the Holy Land, the State of Israel, and simply Ha’aretz (the Land).

Although the Jewish people were not always in political control over the Land of Israel, they have maintained a continuous Jewish presence in the Holy Land for over 3,000 years, and the Jews who were exiled always prayed to return to live in their homeland.

Jerusalem is mentioned over 800 times in the Jewish bible and has been the Jewish capital city for over 3000 years. Jerusalem has never been named a capital city by any other nation.

A significant portion of Jewish laws are tied to the Land of Israel and can only be obeyed there.

A Jew living outside the Land of Israel is said to be living in “galut,” translated to be exile or diaspora.

Israel is strategically situated between the three continents of Asia, Africa and Europe.

Israel’s topography is varied, including: forests and fertile valleys in the north, a the coastal plain along the Mediterranean Sea, rocky mountain ranges in Judea and Samaria, the arid Jordan valley and Dead Sea region, and the desert of the Negev and Arava.

Israel is home to more than 500 species of birds, 100 mammals and 90 reptiles, as well as more than 3,000 types of plants.

The bible states that Israel is blessed with seven species of grain and fruit: wheat, barely, grain, grapes, figs, pomegranates and olives.